Call it gorilla regions or gorilla sectors, it all means the bisections which make up the famous Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National park. YES, gorilla safaris in Bwindi Forest take place in any of the four gorilla regions sectors. The four gorilla regions are Buhoma sector in the North, Ruhija sector in the East, Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors in the south.
Each gorilla trekking sector shelter different gorilla families groups/families. This means that if you have a specific gorilla family you wish to trek, you MUST visit the specific gorilla region in which it dwells. Gorilla families have not been known for crossing from one sector to another. This article also gives you details of the list of lodges in Bwindi Forest Park as scattered in different regions
If you planning a Uganda gorilla safari to Bwindi Forest and wondering which gorilla region you should visit, Superfine Safaris gives you detailed information about gorilla regions/sectors in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. When making gorilla safari bookings, travelers normally specify which sector they want to visit based on what they read about each sector and referrals from friends.
Each gorilla region in Bwindi has an independent headquarter where travelers gather each day for registration and pre gorilla trekking briefing. For better gorilla trekking comparisons, you can do two gorilla treks enabling you to visit two different gorilla families in two separate sectors. Based on many traveler’ reviews, gorilla each sector is unique in its own kind and worth visiting. Superfine Safaris brings you details about gorilla trekking regions/ sectors in Bwindi Forest National Park:
Buhoma sector
Located in the northern part of Bwindi Forest National Park, Buhoma is the most visited gorilla region in Bwindi. Sheltering the oldest gorilla family in Bwindi Forest, Buhoma is a preference for some travelers who want to see the elderly mountain gorillas. Buhoma sector is located near Kabale town hence easy to reach when connecting from Kampala/Entebbe and Katuna Border for those crossing from Rwanda.
The list of Mountain gorilla families in Bwindi Forest include
- Mubare family habituated in 1992
- Rushegura gorilla group habituated in 2000
- Habinyanja gorilla family habituated in 1997
- Katwe family which was added in 2018.
If you want to combine Uganda gorilla trekking with wildlife experience, Buhoma can easily be combined with Queen Elizabeth National Park. The 5 Days Uganda gorillas and game safari entails gorilla trekking in Bwindi and game viewing in Queen Elizabeth national park, the drive through Ishasha gives you chance to see the iconic tree climbing lions.
Each day, Buhoma has 32 gorilla permits available for issuing. Due to high demand, gorilla permits normally sell off easily than in other sectors.
If you want to spend an overnight in Buhoma region, the following are some of the top lodges you should choose from . These include
- Bwindi Forest Lodge
- Buhoma Lodge,
- Mahogany Springs Lodge,
- Haven Lodge
- Buhoma Community,
- Silverback Lodge
- Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp
Rushaga Gorilla Sector
Located in the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National park. Rushaga is home to the highest number of gorillas in Bwindi and its the centre of gorilla habituation experience.
The list of gorilla groups/ Families in Rushaga sector of Bwindi include
- Kahungye gorilla family
- Busingye gorilla family
- Bweza, Nshongi
- Mishaya gorilla groups.
- Bikyingi Gorilla group
- Bushaha gorilla families
Rushaga sector is the most accessible sector for those doing a 1-Day Uganda gorilla tour to Bwindi from Kigali Rwanda. Each day, Rushaga sector has 48 gorilla trekking permits and 8-gorilla habituation permits giving chance to the high number of travelers to see gorillas. In addition to gorillas, travelers to Rushaga sector enjoy a boat on Lake Mutanda making the whole experience memorable.
The recommended lodges/accommodation in the Rushaga sector include
- Gorilla Safari Lodge
- Chameleon Hill Lodge
- Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
- Rushaga Gorilla Camp
- Gorilla Valley Lodge
- Mutanda Lake Resort.
Ruhija Gorilla Sector
Visit Ruhija sector in the eastern part of Bwindi Forest to trek one of the three gorilla families namely
- Bitukura gorilla family
- Kyaguliro gorilla family
- Mukiza Gorilla family
- Oruzogo gorilla group.
32 gorilla permits are available every day in Ruhija sector issued on a first come first serve basis. Other activities to do in Ruhija sector include visiting Batwa communities, bird watching, forest walk, and visiting Batwa communities. The top lodges in Ruhija sector include
- Bakiga Lodge,
- Gorilla Mist Camp,
- Agandi Lodge,
- Trekkers Traven Lodge
- Nshongi Forest camp
- Ruhija safari lodge
Lodges and all accommodation services in Ruhija sector are categorized into the budget, luxury and midrange but all services are excellent and worth the money.
Nkuringo Sector
Also, in the east of Bwindi Forest, Nshongi sector is known to have the toughest gorilla hikes in Bwindi impenetrable Forest National Park due to its location on higher altitudes. Nkuringo is home to two gorilla families, which are Nkuringo family, and the newly introduced Christmas family. The sector has 16 gorilla permit available everyday giving chance to first come travelers to see gorillas at a close range. The recommended lodging facilities in Nkuingo sector include Clouds Mountain gorilla Lodge,
The list of top lodges in Nkuringo Sector
- Nkuringo gorilla lodge,
- Nkuringo Gorilla Campsite
- Hammerkop bunkhouse
- Nkuringo Gorilla Camp.
In general, Uganda gorilla tour to any one of the four gorilla regions/sectors in Bwindi Forest National Park offers you an exceptional gorilla safari experience. Contact Superfine Safaris today, choose a gorilla region you want to visit and we shall tailor-make for you a perfect gorilla safari package.
